low pressure shotgun shells

[pastorp]

I just was given a Parker shotgun that has demascus barrells. The barrels are really solid and I would like to shoot the gun. What low pressure load do you think would work safely?

Thanks,

[Graybeard]

Sadly no. If it has damascus barrels hang it on the wall and admire it but don't shoot it. Now there is an outfit that lines damascus barrels so they can be fired with smaller gauge ammo but the cost is quite high.

Some folks do shoot them with very low pressure ammo but ONLY after having them properly examined by an expert gunsmith familiar with these guns. My advice is don't do it.

[CGPAUL]

Do you reload?

Is this to be a working gun? or shoot it just for fun?

I would have the gun checked out first, then should you still want, black powder or pirodex would work. I also think you could work up a load with 7/8 to 1oz. loads and be fine.

I should also check the web...has to be tons of info regarding  your Parker....you lucky Dog!!

[Graybeard]

Just because a load has a light shot charge does NOT mean the pressures are low. There is special low pressure load data that produces loads with one third to one quarter the normal pressure even with selected smokeless powders and there are companies who specialize in producing such low pressure loads.

Until a truly knowledge gunsmith very familiar with damascus guns certifies it as safe it should not be shot with anything. Even then most "supposed experts" in the field do not recommend shooting them. I personally would never do so without having the barrels lined but then I'm overly cautious cuz I've had one gun explode in my hands already and survived it and don't wanna try that again.

[SHOOTALL]

Send it off to Briley to have checked and if it is in good condition they can supply you with 20 ga. full length tubes and you can safetly shoot it with low power 20 ga shells ( bird shot ) .

[pastorp]

CGPaul, It was mfg in 1876 so no I won't use it as a working gun. But I would like to shoot it occasionally.

When I was young I came into possesion of a greener double, damascus and hamers. I shot that one with no ill affects.  Maybe the Lord just was watching over me.

Regards,

[.45 COLT]

If you're bound to shoot the gun (after a good gunsmith examines it), Hodgdon has some data for very low pressure 12 Gauge, 24 Gram loads using IMR7625 Powder. Pressures in the 3,900 - 4,200 PSI range. Data id online.

Even with low pressure loads available, I'd hang it on the wall.

DC

[SHOOTALL]

Even twist steel bbls in good shape were not in most cases ment to shoot anything but black powder . BP has an explosion at the chamber then press reduces as the load travles up the bbl . Most of these guns are very thin as you reach rhe muzzle end . Modern powder builds pressure as it travles down the bbl a situation which most twist steel bbls were not made to withstand . Get some reduced gauge tubes and enjoy the gun .

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  One of the famous writers, his first name is Ross S. I can't begin to spell the last name, has done quite a bit of shooting with guns like this..I saw him with a 97 with a 32" and twist barrels. I think he may load blk . powder... I often see him him Double Gun Journal, he runs the ELK SONG Ranch in Ore..... Hope this helps...

[Fletch6]

Thes chance you will destroy a really valuable gun would stop me from shooting it never mind the danger.

[JBlk]

First have your Parker examined by a competent gunsmith to verify the integrity of the barrels.Damascus barrels might appear to be good with the naked eye yet have flaws due to rust pockets that have formed over the years.If the gunsmith verifies the barrels you can then consider using some blackpowder loads.Make sure that your shotgun is bored for two and three quarter inch shells and not two and five eights which alot of the eairly shotguns had.Under no circumstances use any type of smokless powder.The preasure curves on smokless powder Are much to great for damascus barrels and they will let go just about the forearm of the shotgun.In the event that the barrels are determined to be faulty have your gunsmith refinish the barrels to bring out the patterns and you will have a masterpiece to hold and admire.

[huntducks]

Sell it and buy a double you can shoot.

I have seen a number of old doubles that were not damascus come a part just because they were old and hand made does not make the metal strong for todays shells powder and pressure.

I think your hell bent on shooting this gun so if you can still type after you do lets us know how it went.

[mcwoodduck]

I had a LC Smith with Twist barrels for a while and I loaded paper hulls with pyrodex to a front loader spec I found in an ould Guns and Ammo annual.
I used Win 209 Primers and bought all the fiber wads, over the powder cards, and over the shot cards for the front loaders.
Loaded up 5 or 6 boxes and headed out for the trap range.  Tried the shell out in another shotgun first, and then shot for score with the LC Smith.  Worked well.  The other people on the line were suprised at the huge cloud of smoke that smelled like BBQ.
The animal fat in the wads and the charcoal in the smoke started to smell like a smoker.
Happy the gun worked, I then made some hunting loads of 6's, 7', and 7.5 and used them on a dove, quail, and phesant hunt.
Your other option is to send the gun to someone like Brielly (the choke people) and have them sleeve the barrels with steel and you will be able to use light loads.  I would be worried about the hinge pin and the face of the reciever with heavy smokeless loads.
Is it a 10, 12, 16, or 20Ga?
I do not want to give you the 12 ga loading if you have a 16 ga. 
I did see someone at a trap range shoot a single shot that had a painted twist barrel and after about the 10th shot on the trap field the barrel unwound. 

[Maritime Storm]

As mentioned, Damascus barrels were made for shooting Black Powder loads when they were new. They were never designed for or is it recommended to shoot smokeless powder in them. Considering the last were made around 100 years ago, used Mercuric and corrosive primers with Black Powder loads, that means they aren't anywhere near as strong now as they were when they were made due to corrosion and heat erosion. The only way to know for certain that this gun would be safe to use would be to either have it proof-tested(which may destroy it) or have a a set of sub-guage tubes made for it. If it has been proof-tested and deamed safe, then you could load Black Powder(or it's substitutes) shells for this gun. That having been said, you far better off not shooting it at all.